Turbine apparatus.



UNITED sTATEs' PATENT OFFICE.

yHENRY r. SCHMIDT, orI PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA. AssIGNoa To wEsTINGHoUsE ELECTRIC a MANUFacTURING ooMrANY, A conPoRATIoN or PENNSYLVANIA.

TURBINE nrPAaaTUs.l

To all whom z't may concern:

. Be it known that l, HENRY I".Y SCHMIDTga citizen Of the United States, and a-resident of Pittsburgh, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have made a newand Auseful Invention in Turbine Apparatus,l of which the followingv is a specification. This invention relates to turbines, and particularly to organized apparatus includingpower developing element and one astern,

or reversing turbine, or power developing element. It is customary in such installations .to divide the ahead turbine into two or more power developing sections or elements, each of which is capableduring emergencies`of operating as an'independent turi bine, but which, under certain power or speed conditions, operate together as the separate sections or stages of the ordinary multi-stage turbine. For'e'xample, the ahead turbine, of such an installation, may in clude a main.power developing element. or

section, which operates independently of'the other sections as a lpower-developing agent only when the vessel is being driven at' full speed ahead or whenthe turbine apparatus is developing full power. Such an installation would also include separate sections or power producing elements, directlyjorcperatively connected to the propeller shaft of the vessel and adaptedto operate in 'conjunction with' the main power developing agent during light load conditions,vor while the vessel Was being propelled at low or cruising speeds. When such sections or cle ments are employechthey run idle while the ahead `turbine apparatus is developing full power, and one of the objects of my present invention is to produce means for reducing losses in eiiiciency and other disadvantages which result from driving the sections or elements of the turbine apparatus which are not developing power. .u

Specification o1' Letters Patent.

Application lcd October 17, 1914.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.y serial No. 567,139. i

The reversing turbine of a marine installation is an example of an independent'turbine element, forming a part of an organized apparatus, and the losses occasioned by it are most apparent, since it isrordinarily -oper 6o atively connected to the propeller shaft .and consequentlyJ is a drag on the apparatus al` 1 most all the time the apparatus is in opera tion, because it is seldoml operated as a power producing agent, and when it is so 6'5 operated all the'separa-te sections of the ahead turbine apparatus run idle and consequently absorb energy.

In the single sheet drawing accompanving and forming a part hereof, I have diagrammatically illustrated an organized appara-V tus embodying my invention, portions being shown in section and portions in eleva'.-

Vtion for convenience of illustration and description. The apparatus selected for the purpose of illustrating my invention includes an ahead turbine or power developing element 3,.;apgl a reversing turbine or power develop I element 4. As illustrated, these separatee ey 30 ments are located in separate c asing's and are: provided with separate rotors; the shafts of the two elements are, however, coupled together and both elements are adapted to be operatively connected to a driven shaft, such for example, as the propeller shaft of a vessel. In addition to this, both the elements are adapted to be' placed in communication .with the same condensing apparatus and are shown connected to the inlet 5 of a con- 90 denser. y

As illustrated, the ahead turbine element` 3, is provided with a casing 6, which .incloses the blade carrying rotor 7 and which lispro 4vided with an inlet port-8, and a discharge Vor exhaust passage 9. The element is also fluid has traversed the blades of the 'stage 11, y e

it is delivered to the low pressure stage, from 4105 which it is discharged into the exhaust pas i if,

Saget) 4.

he .reversing vturbine or power develop-4 ing element illustrated "is Similar; in con-` -i A struction to the element and is providpdl ger 18 is mounted.

' through the supply with a casing 6', having an inlet ort 8', and a discharge passage 9, and it lncloses a rotor 7. This turbine element, like the element 3, is also divided into three stages 10', 11 and 12', which may be respectively designated the initial, intermediate, and low pressure stages of the turbine element, and through which motive Huid delivered from the nozzle or nozzles 13 successively passes.

A pipe or passage 14 is shown communicating with the inlet port 8 of the turbine 3 and through it motive Huid, such for example as steam, may be delivered from any suitable source to the element 3. The inlet port 8 of the element 4 is shown communieating with a supply pipe 14', through which motive fluid is delivered to the element.

In the embodiment of the invention, -I have shownvthe exhaust passages 9 and of the two elements communicating with the condenser inlet 5. By this arrangement, both o'f the power developing elements may be served by the same condenser, although such an arrangement is not essential.

I have also provided means for closing communication between the inoperative element and.the condenser inlet, which, as

illustrated, is automatic in its operation and shifts in response to the pressure of the motive fluid deliveredl to the operative element to place that element in communica,- tion with the condenser inlet and to close communication between the other element and the condenser inlet. The means illustrated consist of a piston 16,' having a valve stem 17, on whichan operating plun- The plunger operates 1n a cylinderl9, one end of which communicates with the main supply pipe 14 of the element 3, through a pipe 20, while the other end communicates with the main supply pipe 14 of the element 4, through a )ipe 20'-, Vith this arrangement, motive uid will be delivered to one end of the cylinder 19, when fluid is delivered to the element 3, pipe 14, and will be delivered to the otherend when motive fluidi .is delivered to the element 4,; through the supply pipe 14. The plunger 18 will there: fore shift the piston valve 16 to close comv munication between the element 4 and the condenser inlet and establish communication betweenA therelement 3 andthe condenser, 'when' motive Huid is delivered to the element 3, and will shift the valve, 16 to close communication between the element 8 .and the condenser inlet and establish communication between the ilement 4 and the condenser, when motlve u id is delivered-to the element 4. 'ff

I emI loy the piston valve 16A in conjuncroducing a 'better the inoperativeelevacuum in the casing o panded.

-which the pipe toward the1eector,vbut prevents a' ment than is maintained in the exhaust passage of the operating element, or at the point of junction ofthe exhaust passage of the inoperative element and the condenser inlet 5. The means illustrated consists of an ejector or evacuatin agent, whichmay receive motive fluid Ir source, such for example, as the discharge passages of the auxiliaries or, in fact, from the .source of motive fluid communicating with the pipes 14 and 14. In the-drawing, the ejecting apparatus operatinor in conjunction with each element, is sliown connected so as to receive motive fluid from the other element after it has been partially ex- It will be understood by those skilled in the art that instead of providing each element 3 and 4 with a separate evacuating device, a single' device may be employed which is provided with means for placing it in communication with one or the other of the elements 3 and 4. It will also lbe understood `that the specific type of ,ejector or evacuating apparatus illustrated need not necessarily be employed, and that any device capable of removing rarefied air or vapor from an inclosed receptacle 'may be utilized.

' At a suitable point in the casing 6 of the turbine element 3, I have provided a port 22, with which an ejector 23 communicates. The ejector yis shown provided with an ordinary dischar e nozzle 24, which receives motive fluid t rough a pipe 25, from an intermediate stage of the element 4. The point of communication between the ejector and the interior of the casing 6 of the element to be evacuated is immaterial and, if desred, the port 22 may be located at or near the high pressure end of the turbine. 1n this connection,'attention 'is called to the om any suitablel fact that itis desirable to so locate the port- As illustra ted, the casing 6 of the elementl 4 is providedwith'a port 22', and an ejector 23 1s shown communicatln and receiving motive fluld rom an intermediate stage of the element 3,'t'hro'ugh a pipe Each o'f the pipes 25 'and 25' is provided with a separate non-return valve 26, permitsof the flow of Huid through flow 1n the-opposite irection.

The ope'ratin lows: When motive fluid is delivered ,to th element 3, the

l 18 Ind the l li valve 16 arelhndgi; t5

obtaining the desired with this port V .of the apparatus is as fol'- the condenser.

4 pressure between? the inlet trated in the drawing. vThis places the element 3 in direct communication with the inlet to the condenser, butcloses communication between the element 4- and the inlet to been partially expanded in the working passages of the element 3, is delivered through the pipe 25 to the ejector 23', and the'ejector, therefore, operates to evacuate the casing 6 of the element 4. lVith this arrangement,I can maintain a higher or better vacuum within the casing of the element 4 than would be maintained therein if that element were in open communication with the con.- denser and, in fact, by properly proportioning the'ejector, I can maintain a ,pressure of from one to twotenths of a pound absolute,

whereas the ordinary pressures obtained inv condensers range from one'to two pounds absolute. It will, therefore, be' apparent that, inasmuch as the eneigy absorbed by rotating an elementsuch or example as the rotorof a turbine-in'an atmosphere of steam or air is directly proportional to the absolute pressure of the surrounding medium, my invention materially reduces the losses occasioned by windage and also re- (luces or practically-eliminates the attendant disadvantages. When the supply of motive fluid is shut o` to the turbine element 3, the actuating pressure of the plunger 18 within the' cylinder 19 is, of course, reduced, and Qthedelivery of motive fluid to the ejectorV 23 ceases. Now, if motive Huid is delivered to the opposite end of the cylinder 19, and the lunger 18 and the valveV 16 will shift to estay lish direct communication between the elements 'and the inlet 'to the condenser and close communication betweenthe element 3 and the inlet 5 tothe condenser. In addition to this, motive Huid from the working pas sage of the element 4 will be delivered to the "ejector 23,' and the casing 6 of the element 3 will beevacuated, or exhausted by that ej ector.

It' `will be understood that the ejectors ma discharge directly into the condenser an if feasible, at the zone of minimum 50 pressure in the condenser, thereby reducing the work of compression of the ejectors `over what it wouldbe with an arrangement of apparatus similar to that illustrated. As a matter of fact, the economy of an ordinary apparatus, suchl as illustrated, may be materially increased by closing direct communication between the casing of .the idle element and the condenser inlet and by connecting the casing` with a region of' low` pressure, such for example, as the 'zone of' minimum pressure inthe condenser. This will be ap arent when-it is remembered that there is af ways a considerable.diierencetiu ofthe vcondenser Motive fluid, after it has t0 the element 4, Npressure will be .delivered and the region within the condenser at which the condensation .is substantially complete.

While the turbine 4 illustrated is essentially a reversing turbine, it will be apparent to those skilled 1n the art, that my invention may be employed with equal success in connection with any of the separate elements of an organized turbine apparatus, whether the elements are primarily designed to operate independent-ly of each other, or to operate in conjunction with other elements, .and at 4times to run idle, such as is the case with 'Cruisin elements of some marine installations. n addition to this, my invention may in which the separate power developlng' elements are located within a single casing, or in which the separate elements coperate with each other, or are operatively connected to each other through the agency of gears or gearing which drive the driven shaft or agent. I do not, therefore, limit myself in any way to the specific form of apparatus illustrated, or the specific application of my `loe employed in connection with apparatus invention to that' apparatus, but my inven tion broadly contemplates means for closing communication between the idle power developlng clement and the condenser lnlet or region of normal exhaust, whether the ele` ment is,under normal operating vconditions-directly connected rto the` condenser inlet or to the region of exhaust- 0r not, and means-for reducing the pressure within the casing of the idle element, below that obtain` able by connecting the exhaust passages of the idle element to the condenser inlet or to the region of normal exhaust, as is now cuseither element.

2. In combination with a power developing element having itsV working passages adapted to be connected to a condenser, means for cutting off communicationbetween said element and the condenser, and means for reducing theV pressure within the casing of said-element below the ressure at the inlet tc the condenser, when tie element is intperative as a power developing agent. 3. n combination with a power develop-` ing element having its working passages adapted to be connected to a condenser, means for cutting -of communication 'between aworking passage of the elementand the condenserand means for reducing ,the

pressure within the working passage so Vcut ofi', below that existing at the condenser inlet.

4. In an organized turbine apparatus, a

turbine element having an inlet port and anexhaust port, and means for closing the exhaust port and for reducing the pressure within a working passage of the element,

when the working passage is inoperative as a power producing agent, below the ressure normally existing at the exhaust o the organized apparatus.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, an ahead turbine, a reversing turbine, means responsive to the delivery of motive fluid to said apparatus for placing the operating turbine in communication with the exhaust, and means for *withdrawing fluid from the easing of the inoperative turbine.

6. An apparatus of thecharacter described, comprising separate fluid driven power developing sections, means for establishing communication between the operative sectionand the exhaust, and means lfor exhaust- `in the casing of the inoperative section.

' In anapparatus of the character described, a turbine element adapted to communicate with :L condenser while in operation, means for closing communication between the turbine element and the condenser whenthe element is inoperative as a power developing agent, and means for reducing the pressure within the working passage of the element below that existing at the inlet to the condenser when its exhaust is closed.

8. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, two turbine elements, operatively connected to each other and each adapted to communicate with a condenser, means for closing communication between the inoperati've turbine element and the ilet to the condenser, and means for reducing the pres- Sure within the working passage' of the inoperative element below that .existing at the inlet to the condenser.

9.`In'combination with a turbine, means for closing theexhaust port of the turbine when the turbine is' inoperative as a power developing agent, and means for eva'cuating the casing of the turbine when the exhaust poxt is closed.

10. In combination with a turbine section,

.means for 'closing the exhaust port of the turbine section when the turbine section is not developing power, and a 4fluid ejector communicating with the'working passage of the turbinel section for evacuating the casing when the exhaust rt is closed.

11.` In combination with-a turbine element nda ted to communicate through itsy exhaust p ,e with l'cond'enser means nir closing he exhaust of. th turbine.; element' 81nd means reduciligthepressure within the casing of the turbine element below that existing at the inlet to the condenser.

12. In combination with a turbineelement adapted to run idle while not developing power, and adapted to communicate with a condenser during normal operation, a condenser, means .Eor closing communication between the exhaust-port of the element and Ithe inlet of the condenser, and means for establishing communication bet-Ween the interior of the casing and the condenser,`while the exhaust port is closed.

13. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, two turbine elements operatively connected together and adapted to operate independently as power developing agents, a condenser communicating with the exhaust ports of both elements, a valve for controlling communication between both of the elements and the condenser, and means for evacuat 35 ing the casing ofthe turbine element between which and the condenser inlet communica-- tion is cut off. I

14. In combination with an ahead turbine section, a reversing-section operatively c'o'n 90,

nccted thereto and adapted to run idle while the ahead section is developing power, means for closing communication between the working passage of the reversing section andthe region of exhaust therefor, and

means for reducing the pressure within the. working passage of the reversing section below the pressure of the region of exhaust when said first mentioned means is operative. f

15. A power developing apparatus com-,. prising an ahead section having a ud inletV and exhaust, a reversing sectionhaving am n iuid inlet and exhaust.- each of Said Sections means for closing the exhaust of vthe revers-v ing section and an ejector for evacuating the reversing 'section .when the exhaust is closed. 17'. An organized apparatus of the char# acterdescribed, comprising an aheadturl bine element, a reversing -turbine element, eachof said 'elements being :adapted to' r11-n idlewhile tlieother -is d'eveloi'iing,v vower,V

means for closing the exhaust of the wine element running idle, and an ejector ferire- .A ducing the pressureiwithn the. working passa e of the turbine element, the exhaust of w iicl is closed.

18. An organized apparatus of. the character described, comprising an ahead turias bine element, a reversing turbine element, each of said elements being adapted to run idlewhile the otliei' is developing power, a valve for closing the exhaust of the idle turbine element, and a fluid actuated ejector :for exhausting the working passage ofthe turbine, the exhaust of which is closed.

' 1t). An organized apparatus ofthe char acter described, comprising an ahead tui'- bine element, a reversing turbine element, a condenser with which both of said turbines communicate, means for closing communication"`betweeu each of said turbine elements and tlie inlet to the condenser, and an ejector for exhausting the working passage of the turbine which is closed off from the inlet to the condenser.

20. An organized apparatus of the character described, comprising an ahead turbine element, a reversing turbine element, each of said elements adapted to run idle while the other is developing power, means for closing tli e"xhaust of the clement running idle, and means for withdrawing fluid from the working passage of the turbine element, the exhaust of which is closed.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, independent power developing elements, each adapted to run vidle while not developingpower, means such as a valve for closing the exhaust end of the element i'un ning idle, and a fluid cjectingdevice forexliaiisting the working passage of the clement running idle.

22. 1n an apparatus of the character described, independent'power developing elcments, each being adapted to communicate with a condenser and to run idle while not developing power, means for closing conimunication between the workingpassage of the idle element and the inlet to the condenser, and means for actuating said first mentioned-means Vto establish communication b'etween'each element and thecondenser when motive fluid is delivered to the ele nie'nt.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, two power `developing elements, each adapted to run idle while tlie'other is developing po\ver,`and cach adapted to be connected with the condenser, a valve for closing communication between'the working passage of tlieidle element and the-condenser inlet, fluid actuated means for actuments, each adapted to run idle while thel other is developing power and each adapted to communicate with a condenser, a valve' for closing communication between the,

working passage of one or the other of said elements and the inlet to the condenser, [luid actuated meansV responsive to the delivery of motive Huid in actuating said valve' to establish communication between the element receiving motive fluid and the condenser inlet,

and ineansresponsive in operation to the de livery ot motive luid to one element :for cx liausting the wo'rltiiig passages of the otherclenieiit. a

25. In an apparatus of the character described, a 'power dcvelo ing element, a coridenscr, the inlet of whic i communicates with thejexhaust of the element, a quick acting valve for closing communication between said element and the condenser, and means responsive in operation to the delivery of fluid to said element for actuating said valve to establish communication between said element and the condenser.

2G. In an apparatus of the character def'4 scribed,'a power developing element, a con# denser, the inlet of which communicates with the-exhaust of the elcinentfavquickl acting fr communication between valve for' closin said element anrf the condenser, means responsive in operation to the delivery of fluid to said element f or actuating said .valve to establish communication between said Yelea ment and the' c0ndenser,and incansfor re'-` ducing the pressure witliinthe working passage of theclcment when the cxhaustis closed' tothe condenser below that normally existingmt the inlet to the condenser. In testimony whereof, I have h ercunto iloo subscribed.mynametlis 15th day of October,191l. i

, HENRY F. SCHMIDT'.

V- Witnesses: i, 

